Control Engineer

Rio Tinto | Boron, California | Relocation Package Available

Are you a hands-on Control Engineer who enjoys getting stuck into PLC programming, troubleshooting and solving complex automation challenges?

Would you be interested in working on capital investment (CAPEX) projects, PLC migrations, control-system modernisation and new equipment integration, rather than being limited to day-to-day maintenance?

How about joining a large-scale industrial operation where you'll work across everything from crushers and conveyors to pumps, tanks, furnaces and sophisticated process automation systems?

The Opportunity :

We're exclusively partnering with Rio Tinto, one of the world's leading mining and materials companies, to recruit Controls Engineers for its Boron, California operation.

This is an opportunity to work across a highly diverse mineral-processing facility, supporting both existing production systems and ongoing investment in new automation technologies.

The engineering team is involved in a broad mix of hands-on PLC troubleshooting, automation development, CAPEX projects, legacy-system replacements and control-system upgrades. You'll have the opportunity to work with different generations of PLC technology, modernise ageing systems and integrate new equipment into live production environments.

We are recruiting across two levels:

• Control System Engineer: $90,000–$123,750 + Annual Bonus | 2+ years' relevant experience
• Electrical & Controls Engineer: $108,240–$148,830 + Annual Bonus | 5+ years' relevant experience

As a Control Engineer, you will be:

• Developing, modifying and troubleshooting PLC logic, HMI applications and SCADA systems across operating production facilities.
• Supporting CAPEX projects, including new automation installations, equipment upgrades and control-system integration.
• Leading or contributing to PLC obsolescence projects, migrating legacy systems onto newer control platforms and upgrading existing automation infrastructure.
• Working with a diverse range of equipment, including crushers, conveyors, pumps, tanks, filtration systems, dryers, furnaces and material-handling systems.
• Configuring and troubleshooting VFDs, instrumentation, industrial networks and associated control hardware.
• Supporting commissioning, testing and start-up activities for new equipment and automation projects.
• Collaborating with production, maintenance, reliability and process engineering teams to diagnose faults and implement engineering improvements.

The successful Control Engineer will bring:

• 2+ years of relevant industrial controls or automation experience, depending on the position.
• Hands-on experience programming, modifying or troubleshooting industrial PLC systems.
• Experience working with HMI/SCADA platforms in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• An understanding of industrial equipment, instrumentation and automated production processes.
• The ability to investigate complex control-system faults and implement practical solutions.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Desirable technical experience includes:

• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation – ControlLogix, Studio 5000, RSLogix.
• FactoryTalk View, PlantPAx, Wonderware or Ignition.
• Schneider Modicon or Siemens PLCs.
• PowerFlex VFDs, DeviceNet, Modbus and industrial Ethernet.
• PLC migrations, automation upgrades, commissioning and brownfield CAPEX projects.

Experience in mining, mineral processing, oil & gas, chemical processing, cement, aggregates or automated manufacturing would be advantageous. Candidates from other industrial backgrounds with transferable PLC and automation experience are also encouraged to apply.

Why Join Rio Tinto?

• Exciting Projects: CAPEX, PLC migrations, automation upgrades and modernisation.
• Competitive Package: $90k–$148k base + annual bonus, relocation and potential sign-on bonus.
• Work-Life Balance: 9/80 schedule with every other Monday or Friday off.
• On-Call: Around one weekend monthly, predominantly remote.
• Career Growth: Diverse automation technologies within a global industry leader.

Location: Boron, California

Schedule: 9/80 – Weekday schedule with alternating three-day weekends

Compensation: $90,000–$148,830 base + annual cash bonus + relocation allowance + potential sign-on bonus

If you're a Control Engineer who enjoys the technical side of automation and wants a position offering a genuine mix of PLC programming, troubleshooting, CAPEX projects and control-system upgrades, we'd be interested in hearing from you.

Interested? Apply today or reach out directly for a confidential conversation. All suitable applicants will be contacted within one working day!